LIS 5820: Practicum in Library Media Centers 2 Credit Hours Practicum Syllabus
PRACTICUM DESCRIPTION The Practicum is a planned supervised field experience that is designed to provide students with the opportunity to apply theories and techniques learned in the classroom to practical experience in a school library media center. Authentic activities will include the work associated with as many of the MoSTEP/AASL standards as possible. Under the supervision and direction of a qualified school librarian the student will complete 2 credit hours and a minimum of 95 hours of field experience for this course. You must have the consent of your advisor and the practicum director to take this course and it is essential that you work together to design this experience.
The ideal practicum experience includes hours at both the elementary and secondary level (middle school may be substituted for one level) and involve whole days in the library. Time should be split with at least 70% of the practicum at one grade level and 30% at the other level. A practicum composed of before- and after-school hours and plan times will not provide students an adequate experience in the library. During the spring semester, the candidate may schedule spring break days in a nearby school district. Candidates may need to use personal and vacation days to complete their practicum. The practicum may include extended contract days of the supervising librarian in August and at the end of the school year. The practicum is available during the summer session; however, candidates must be supervised by librarians who are under contract as school librarians during the summer school session. Accommodations will be made for candidates who are themselves under contract as school librarians. A completed Placement Application (below) is needed before you enroll in this class.
INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION Any questions regarding your practicum should be addressed to your practicum director. See the LIS course schedule to find out which faculty member will oversee your practicum.
Required Textbook Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. (2000). Guidelines for performance-based library media specialist evaluation. Available online at http://dese.mo.gov/divteachqual/leadership/profdev/LMS.pdf
Readings, study, and activities in addition to the in-school hours are also expected of students enrolled in the Practicum. During the whole degree program, you will likely have spent at least 120 clock hours in field experience activities. The courses, with the activities, where field experiences have occurred prior to the practicum are listed below. Together with the 95 hours of the practicum, this completes the 120 hours of field experience required in the library science program.
Summary of Field Experience in the Library Science Program
Course
Activity
Hours
Assessment
LIS 5100
Interview a librarian
2
Summary of interview assessed by instructor
LIS 5250
Collection Evaluation Project
4
Report assessed by instructor
LIS 5250
Collection Development Policy Project
1
Report assessed by instructor
LIS 5250
Consult with librarians about serials subscriptions
2
Report assessed by instructor
LIS 5240
Floor Plan Assignment
4
Document assessed by instructor
LIS 5240
Prepare a library budget
2
Assessed by instructor
LIS 5240
Collection Policy Project
4
Documents assessed by instructor
LIS 5240
Media Center Schedule
1
Class discussion
LIS 5240
Librarian interview
2
Blackboard report to class
LIS 5240
Organizational Chart
1
Class discussion
LIS 5322
Reference collection review
1
Group project
LIS 5910
Field Observation
1
Observation report
Total hours:
25
Conceptual Framework Belief Statement The Central educator is a competent, caring, reflective practitioner committed to the premise that all can learn.
Mission As a cornerstone of the institution for over 130 years, the University of Central Missouri's Teacher Education Program develops teachers and other school professionals who are well grounded in theory, display competence in content knowledge and instructional strategies, and possess the dispositions to ensure success for all learners. The Teacher Education Program prepares individuals as professional educators for an ever-changing, culturally diverse population. Faculty and candidates provide support and service to schools in meeting their present and future challenges by developing communities that learn through research and scholarly activities. Educator preparation is a campus-wide responsibility, a commitment that reflects the honor and worth of serving a vital profession.
Course Objectives The objectives of the practicum are to provide the student with the opportunity to
Participate in a variety of activities and situations in a school library media center setting.
Engage in critical thinking exercises and problem-solving related to professional practice.
Identify areas of personal strength and areas for continuing personal growth and professional development.
Engage in experiences that will provide opportunities to combine classroom theory and real-life practice in a professional context.
Try out professional skills in a supportive environment.
Develop professional attitudes and effective interpersonal relationships in the context of a school library media center.
Connect practicum experiences to the knowledge, skills and dispositions required by DESE standards for school librarians.
Student Learning Outcomes Upon the completion of this course students will be able to demonstrate the following critical knowledge, skills and dispositions
by being an active and engaged participant in regularly scheduled Skype discussions as well as Blackboard postings
by being able to explore authentic interaction with students, teachers, and the community at both the elementary and secondary level
by daily analyzing the activities of the library program
by creating a report that synthesizes the overall experience into a comprehensive and standards-evaluated report
by initiating and evaluating a collaborative experience with at least one teacher in the building
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Criteria for Practicum Sites and Supervising Library Media Specialist Practicum placement must be under the direct supervision and mentorship of a qualified and certified school library media specialist. Therefore,
The school library media specialist must hold a master’s degree in library science or a related discipline (for example, Education) or have at least ten years experience as a practicing library media specialist, and
The school library media specialist supervisor/mentor must have a minimum of three years of experience in a school library media center, at least one year of which is at the site for the practicum.
Background Check If you are already employed in the school district where you will do your practicum you do not need a background check.
Otherwise, contact the principal at the school where you intend to do your practicum and ask if the background check is required. If so, request the background check through UCM. Follow the instructions on the Certification and Student Teaching Web site at http://www.ucmo.edu/ced/cert/. UCM will provide your placement site with the results.
The Office of Educator Quality has been notified by the Missouri State Highway Patrol that effective March 19, 2012, the cost of the fingerprint background check will change from the current price of $52.20 to $49.45. In addition, the name of the fingerprinting vendor has changed from L-1 Enrollment to MorphoTrust USA.
Practicum Administration The practicum student is supervised by both the supervising library media specialist and the practicum director. The supervising library media specialist at the practicum site will direct and guide the activities of the student on a day-to-day basis. The practicum director will maintain regular contact with the supervising library media specialist and will schedule a site visit for consultation with the student and the supervising library media specialist. This site visit will also give the practicum director the opportunity to observe the student working in the library setting. It is the responsibility of the student to make certain that this site visit is scheduled.
Payment for Services There will be no direct payment to students for service rendered to the library or information agency. The supervising librarian will not receive direct payment for instruction or supervision provided to a practicum student.
Absences The student MUST inform the supervising library media specialist of any absence prior to the absence. In the event of an emergency, the supervising library media specialist should be contacted as soon as physically possible. Excused absences include personal illness or illness of an immediate family member, death in the family, interviews for potential employment, or other significantly important events. Lateness is inappropriate and not excusable. Late arrivals are considered unexcused absences and will be reflected in your grade.
Getting a Student ID To obtain an ID, follow these instructions
Send an e-mail request from your UCM e-mail account to bkwilson@ucmo.edu
In the subject line of the e-mail put: ID Request
In the body of the e-mail include: Name, 700#, mailing address
Extended Campus staff will verify that you are only taking online classes (not hybrid or Summit Center classes - just online). Once verification is complete, they will then forward the request to the ID office. One the IDs have been printed and sent back to them, they will mail the ID to you. Just like any student ID the first one is free; the second one is $20.00. To use the ID you will need to present it along with a federal or state photo ID like a driver's license.
A University ID is handy to have when you want to borrow books from a university library other than UCM's or if you want to pick up UCM books at another university library using the MOBIUS system. That ID includes your 700 number which is what university libraries are looking for. Take another photo ID to confirm you are who your ID says you are.
Course Evaluation The practicum director is responsible for assigning the final grade for the practicum course. A variety of criteria will be evaluated based on the results of the continuous evaluation that takes place throughout the practicum experience. The supervising library media specialist also plays an important role in the evaluation process, but the practicum director has final authority for grade assignment. A grade of A or B indicates performance at or above the expected level, while a grade of C indicates acceptable performance. D or F grades are unacceptable. The student should be notified as soon as possible that performance is unacceptable in one or more areas and be given assistance and support in order to improve this performance. The final D or F grade indicates that the student failed to take advantage of this assistance and/or has failed to improve performance to a satisfactory level.
Grading
In order for a grade to be given at the end of semester, all written work needs to be turned in four weeks before the end of the semester.
Incomplete assignments will result in a U grade until all work has been turned in.
This format will be used as a summative evaluation
Weekly PRACTICUM LOG (40%)
Skype sessions (10%)
WEEKEND JOURNAL via Blackboard (20%)
Instructional COLLABORATION PROJECT (10%)
Observation of instruction
Instruction Context (1 p.)
Planning for Instruction (1-2 p.)
Analysis of Instruction and Student Work (4-5 p.)
Reflection (4-5 p.)
PRACTICUM EVALUATION CHECKLIST (15%)
QUALITATIVE FEEDBACK FORM (5%)
Grading Scale:
A - 90-100 B - 80-89 C - 70-79 D - 60-69 F - Below 60
Technology Requirements/Blackboard Navigation To get started with the course, go to: http://courses.ucmo.edu You will need your UCM username and password to log in to the course. If you do not know, or cannot remember your information, please refer to this document: http://www.ucmo.edu/ot/documents/studentIDPW.pdf
As soon as you log into my course, you will see a welcome announcement called Getting Started that will provide your orientation to how the class will work and where everything is located.
Software Synchronous meetings will take place through Skype http://skype.com , a free application that you can download to your computer. In class discussions we will not be able to see each other, but if you have a Webcam, conversations between two people will allow you to see each other while using Skype.
Hardware You will need an external microphone, or even better – a headset - for both the Skype and screencast assignments. Using a computer’s built-in microphone has proven to be inadequate for the audio quality that is needed for this class. If you do not have an external microphone, they can be purchased for $25 and under.
Blackboard The asynchronous component of the class (uploading assignments) will take place on Blackboard. The course access is at http://ucmo.blackboard.com/webapps/login/.
Communication and Support The best way to contact me is by email. I do my best to return student emails within 24 hours, including weekends and holidays. If I am out of town, I will post an announcement on Blackboard stating my anticipated time for returning emails. Unless you specifically request otherwise, my emails to you will be directed to your UCM email address. There is also an FAQ thread on the discussion board. That’s the place to post questions of general interest to the entire class.
I try to be available every day by being on Skype. If you see the green checkmark by my name I encourage you to contact me at any time. Again, my Skype name is fcpen2008.
I am not usually available on the weekends. Please plan for contacting me during the week – day or night.
UCM provides Blackboard Technical Support in a variety of ways: - Phone: (660) 543-8484 Hours: M-F 7:30 am - 5:00 pm - email: bbhelp@ucmo.edu - Live Chat can be accessed from the Blackboard login page, when available - You can submit an electronic request for Blackboard help on this form: http://www.ucmo.edu/surveys/?formID=1954 - Tutorials and Help information available on the Blackboard login page may be helpful UCM technical support for issues unrelated to Blackboard can be accessed at this webpage: http://www.ucmo.edu/ot/students/
LIS Discussion Group Subscription to the LIS Discussion Group is required of all enrolled students.
LIBSCI Send e-mail to: mailto:imailsrv@libsrv.ucmo.edu (subject line blank) (body) Subscribe libsci firstname lastname
Course and University Policies and Procedures
Academic Honesty: This instructor will enforce UCM’s Academic Honesty Policy as described in the Student Calendar/Handbook.
Student Conduct: Each student who enrolls at Central Missouri assumes an obligation to abide by the rules and regulations of the University as well as the local, state, and federal laws. A description of student rights and responsibilities is available in the Student Handbook, and online: http://www.ucmo.edu/student/handbook.cfm
Early Alert: As part of the College of Education commitment to building a positive, student-centered learning community that supports the success of every student, this faculty member participates in the UCM Early Alert Program.
ADA: Students with documented disabilities who are seeking academic accommodations should contact the Office of Accessibility Services, Union 222, (V) (TTY) 660-543-4421.
Library Services: Get help @ your library! You may access your library account, the online catalog, and electronic databases from James C. Kirkpatrick Library’s website at http://library.ucmo.edu. For research assistance, you may contact the Reference Desk: Phone: (660) 543-4154 Email: reference@libserv.ucmo.edu AIM: JCKLReference RefChat: http://library.ucmo.edu/chat
CALENDAR
First week of class
Introductions on Blackboard
Weekly during practicum experience
Practicum Log
Weekly during practicum experience
Weekend Journal
January 25
First Skype conversation, 7:00 pm
January 30
Last date to turn in your Practicum Plan
February 22
Second Skype conversation, 7:00 pm
February 28
Practicum students will have identified the date and time for the Practicum Director observation
Table of Contents
2 Credit Hours
Practicum Syllabus
PRACTICUM DESCRIPTION
The Practicum is a planned supervised field experience that is designed to provide students with the opportunity to apply theories and techniques learned in the classroom to practical experience in a school library media center. Authentic activities will include the work associated with as many of the MoSTEP/AASL standards as possible. Under the supervision and direction of a qualified school librarian the student will complete 2 credit hours and a minimum of 95 hours of field experience for this course. You must have the consent of your advisor and the practicum director to take this course and it is essential that you work together to design this experience.
The ideal practicum experience includes hours at both the elementary and secondary level (middle school may be substituted for one level) and involve whole days in the library. Time should be split with at least 70% of the practicum at one grade level and 30% at the other level. A practicum composed of before- and after-school hours and plan times will not provide students an adequate experience in the library. During the spring semester, the candidate may schedule spring break days in a nearby school district. Candidates may need to use personal and vacation days to complete their practicum. The practicum may include extended contract days of the supervising librarian in August and at the end of the school year. The practicum is available during the summer session; however, candidates must be supervised by librarians who are under contract as school librarians during the summer school session. Accommodations will be made for candidates who are themselves under contract as school librarians. A completed Placement Application (below) is needed before you enroll in this class.
INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
Any questions regarding your practicum should be addressed to your practicum director. See the LIS course schedule to find out which faculty member will oversee your practicum.
COURSE INFORMATION
Required Textbook
Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. (2000). Guidelines for performance-based library media specialist evaluation. Available online at http://dese.mo.gov/divteachqual/leadership/profdev/LMS.pdf
Readings, study, and activities in addition to the in-school hours are also expected of students enrolled in the Practicum. During the whole degree program, you will likely have spent at least 120 clock hours in field experience activities. The courses, with the activities, where field experiences have occurred prior to the practicum are listed below. Together with the 95 hours of the practicum, this completes the 120 hours of field experience required in the library science program.
Conceptual Framework
Belief Statement
The Central educator is a competent, caring, reflective practitioner committed to the premise that all can learn.
Mission
As a cornerstone of the institution for over 130 years, the University of Central Missouri's Teacher Education Program develops teachers and other school professionals who are well grounded in theory, display competence in content knowledge and instructional strategies, and possess the dispositions to ensure success for all learners. The Teacher Education Program prepares individuals as professional educators for an ever-changing, culturally diverse population. Faculty and candidates provide support and service to schools in meeting their present and future challenges by developing communities that learn through research and scholarly activities. Educator preparation is a campus-wide responsibility, a commitment that reflects the honor and worth of serving a vital profession.
Course Objectives
The objectives of the practicum are to provide the student with the opportunity to
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon the completion of this course students will be able to demonstrate the following critical knowledge, skills and dispositions
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Criteria for Practicum Sites and Supervising Library Media Specialist
Practicum placement must be under the direct supervision and mentorship of a qualified and certified school library media specialist. Therefore,
Background Check
If you are already employed in the school district where you will do your practicum you do not need a background check.
Otherwise, contact the principal at the school where you intend to do your practicum and ask if the background check is required. If so, request the background check through UCM. Follow the instructions on the Certification and Student Teaching Web site at http://www.ucmo.edu/ced/cert/. UCM will provide your placement site with the results.
The Office of Educator Quality has been notified by the Missouri State Highway Patrol that effective March 19, 2012, the cost of the fingerprint background check will change from the current price of $52.20 to $49.45. In addition, the name of the fingerprinting vendor has changed from L-1 Enrollment to MorphoTrust USA.
Practicum Administration
The practicum student is supervised by both the supervising library media specialist and the practicum director. The supervising library media specialist at the practicum site will direct and guide the activities of the student on a day-to-day basis. The practicum director will maintain regular contact with the supervising library media specialist and will schedule a site visit for consultation with the student and the supervising library media specialist. This site visit will also give the practicum director the opportunity to observe the student working in the library setting. It is the responsibility of the student to make certain that this site visit is scheduled.
Payment for Services
There will be no direct payment to students for service rendered to the library or information agency. The supervising librarian will not receive direct payment for instruction or supervision provided to a practicum student.
Absences
The student MUST inform the supervising library media specialist of any absence prior to the absence. In the event of an emergency, the supervising library media specialist should be contacted as soon as physically possible. Excused absences include personal illness or illness of an immediate family member, death in the family, interviews for potential employment, or other significantly important events. Lateness is inappropriate and not excusable. Late arrivals are considered unexcused absences and will be reflected in your grade.
Getting a Student ID
To obtain an ID, follow these instructions
Extended Campus staff will verify that you are only taking online classes (not hybrid or Summit Center classes - just online). Once verification is complete, they will then forward the request to the ID office. One the IDs have been printed and sent back to them, they will mail the ID to you. Just like any student ID the first one is free; the second one is $20.00. To use the ID you will need to present it along with a federal or state photo ID like a driver's license.
A University ID is handy to have when you want to borrow books from a university library other than UCM's or if you want to pick up UCM books at another university library using the MOBIUS system. That ID includes your 700 number which is what university libraries are looking for. Take another photo ID to confirm you are who your ID says you are.
Course Evaluation
The practicum director is responsible for assigning the final grade for the practicum course. A variety of criteria will be evaluated based on the results of the continuous evaluation that takes place throughout the practicum experience. The supervising library media specialist also plays an important role in the evaluation process, but the practicum director has final authority for grade assignment. A grade of A or B indicates performance at or above the expected level, while a grade of C indicates acceptable performance. D or F grades are unacceptable. The student should be notified as soon as possible that performance is unacceptable in one or more areas and be given assistance and support in order to improve this performance. The final D or F grade indicates that the student failed to take advantage of this assistance and/or has failed to improve performance to a satisfactory level.
Grading
Grading Scale:
A - 90-100
B - 80-89
C - 70-79
D - 60-69
F - Below 60
Technology Requirements/Blackboard Navigation
To get started with the course, go to: http://courses.ucmo.edu
You will need your UCM username and password to log in to the course. If you do not know, or cannot remember your information, please refer to this document: http://www.ucmo.edu/ot/documents/studentIDPW.pdf
All of the information you need concerning Blackboard hardware, software, and plug-ins can be accessed from the Blackboard login page or at http://www.ucmo.edu/centralnet/Blackboard/student_help.html
If you are new to Blackboard, this tutorial walks you through the process of getting started, beginning with performing a browser check:
http://ucmo.edu/centralnet/Blackboard/help/bb_getting_started.pdf
As soon as you log into my course, you will see a welcome announcement called Getting Started that will provide your orientation to how the class will work and where everything is located.
Software
Synchronous meetings will take place through Skype http://skype.com , a free application that you can download to your computer. In class discussions we will not be able to see each other, but if you have a Webcam, conversations between two people will allow you to see each other while using Skype.
Hardware
You will need an external microphone, or even better – a headset - for both the Skype and screencast assignments. Using a computer’s built-in microphone has proven to be inadequate for the audio quality that is needed for this class. If you do not have an external microphone, they can be purchased for $25 and under.
Blackboard
The asynchronous component of the class (uploading assignments) will take place on Blackboard. The course access is at http://ucmo.blackboard.com/webapps/login/.
Communication and Support
The best way to contact me is by email. I do my best to return student emails within 24 hours, including weekends and holidays. If I am out of town, I will post an announcement on Blackboard stating my anticipated time for returning emails. Unless you specifically request otherwise, my emails to you will be directed to your UCM email address. There is also an FAQ thread on the discussion board. That’s the place to post questions of general interest to the entire class.
I try to be available every day by being on Skype. If you see the green checkmark by my name I encourage you to contact me at any time. Again, my Skype name is fcpen2008.
I am not usually available on the weekends. Please plan for contacting me during the week – day or night.
UCM provides Blackboard Technical Support in a variety of ways:
- Phone: (660) 543-8484 Hours: M-F 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- email: bbhelp@ucmo.edu
- Live Chat can be accessed from the Blackboard login page, when available
- You can submit an electronic request for Blackboard help on this form: http://www.ucmo.edu/surveys/?formID=1954
- Tutorials and Help information available on the Blackboard login page may be helpful
UCM technical support for issues unrelated to Blackboard can be accessed at this webpage:
http://www.ucmo.edu/ot/students/
LIS Discussion Group
Subscription to the LIS Discussion Group is required of all enrolled students.
LIBSCI Send e-mail to: mailto:imailsrv@libsrv.ucmo.edu (subject line blank)
(body) Subscribe libsci firstname lastname
Course and University Policies and Procedures
Academic Honesty: This instructor will enforce UCM’s Academic Honesty Policy as described in the Student Calendar/Handbook.
Student Conduct: Each student who enrolls at Central Missouri assumes an obligation to abide by the rules and regulations of the University as well as the local, state, and federal laws. A description of student rights and responsibilities is available in the Student Handbook, and online: http://www.ucmo.edu/student/handbook.cfm
Early Alert: As part of the College of Education commitment to building a positive, student-centered learning community that supports the success of every student, this faculty member participates in the UCM Early Alert Program.
ADA: Students with documented disabilities who are seeking academic accommodations should contact the Office of Accessibility Services, Union 222, (V) (TTY) 660-543-4421.
Library Services: Get help @ your library! You may access your library account, the online catalog, and electronic databases from James C. Kirkpatrick Library’s website at http://library.ucmo.edu. For research assistance, you may contact the Reference Desk:
Phone: (660) 543-4154 Email: reference@libserv.ucmo.edu
AIM: JCKLReference RefChat: http://library.ucmo.edu/chat
CALENDAR